I just spent the last 10 minutes talking with Saints LB Jonathan Vilma about his defamation lawsuit against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, along with other things related to the bounty issue. For the first time, Vilma explained why he refused to participate in the NFL’s investigation against his team. And he addressed the possibility of sitting out 2012. Here is what I wrote in this NFL.com story: Suspended Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma said he would not cooperate with the NFL’s investigation into his team’s bounty system because Commissioner Roger Goodell would not show him the evidence of his alleged wrongdoing. In an exclusive interview with NFL.com at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, Vilma spoke publicly for the first time […]

As the only Saints player named specifically in the NFL’s news release announcing the punishments of Saints personnel involved in the team’s “bounty” program, LB Jonathan Vilma is likely in line for steep discipline as well.

While most of the pre-snap attention goes to Peyton Manning when the Colts have the ball, it is the clever adjustment orchestrated by the Saints’ Jonathan Vilma that is keying New Orleans’ improved defensive play in this game.

The Colts and Saints issued their final injury reports Friday before Super Bowl XLIV. For New Orleans, DE Will Smith (groin), LB Jonathan Vilma (knee) and S Pierson Prioleau (quad) participated fully in practice after being limited earlier in the week. They are all listed as probable.

The Saints received good news on the injury front Friday, when CB Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring), FS Darren Sharper (knee) and LB Jonathan Vilma (knee) all returned to practice, albeit in limited fashion.